Matched Series By Ally Condie - Reading from 'Matched' from August 29th 2019

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting April 15th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Haley]

I started early because of the audiobook, but will wait until the 15th for the second book.
22% (view spoiler)[ This society is strange. They choose everything for you and you have to obey all their rules. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

48% (view spoiler)[ Awww her grandfather died and I was starting to like his personality. It's scary how the society chooses everything for him including his death date. Carrie has to be matched with her next husband and it seems like the society has been making many mistakes. At least it's Xander-someone she knows and has been with all her life! (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

77% (view spoiler)[ I'm not enjoying this love triangle and it's my second book in a row with one. I just hate the concept of this one because she was matched with Xander to begin with and as soon as Ky shows up on her matched list then she begins to wonder what it would be like with him. Cassie is now put up to the test to see who's worthy of standing and leaving in the work force. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

finished (view spoiler)[ The society has been controlling her all along. How awful.. When you think you are making your own choices and turns out you're not. I feel bad for Xavier because they were matched and they won't even be together with each other. Cassie is getting moved to the farmlands and she's leaving her past home behind. At least the red pill doesn't effect Xavier!!! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Cool. I was just going to ask if you guys are doing the series.

[[deleted user]]

20% (view spoiler)[ so far I'm really liking it. It's different I am still curious as to what they are. Are they ants? Butterflies? I don't think they are humans right? Anyways. This society sounds so rigid, I like Cassie right off the bat. I also like Xander, Ky is kinda mysterious. I was sad that Cassie's grandfather died. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Yes, I'm going to continue the series! I'm just waiting until someone else finishes the first book before continuing.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished it but I won't be able to update until tomorrow. I'll start the second one tonight.

[Haley]

Okay I'll check it out on audiobook but I probably won't be able to start for another 2 days because I can only have 3 out at a time.

[[deleted user]]

What? We r allowed 5.

[Haley]

I wish! I currently have the host, beautiful creatures,and the rosie project checked out. Of course they are all long books except for the rosie project, so I'm going to start that one and see if I can finish it tomorrow!

[[deleted user]]

50% (view spoiler)[ I love that Cassia is nice to Em and is letting her borrow her compact. I love her grandfather and so wish he didn’t have to die, why does he have to die? Because the uppers decided it? I love that he shared the poem with Cassia that is the best gift he could have given her. I remember hearing this poem for the first time in a movie. I like that although Ky is an aberration he has his own artifact, a compass, and he is sharing this with Cassia, I love the hikes and that Ky is spending time with her and sharing their secrets. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

75% (view spoiler)[ “Is falling in love with someone’s story the same thing as falling in love with the person himself?” I think it is the same, because you are getting to know that person. What is the deal with the rain too? What happened when it rained? I loved that Ky teaches Cassia how to write and that he teaches her how to write her name and then slowly his 2 letters for his name. It’s a good thing that Ky is writing Cassia notes in a napkin that is easy to dispose of, of course, after she memorizes the words. I don’t understand why it is that Ky loses at those games on purpose, is he trying not to stand out? I love that he says that if he was matched it’d be with Cassia, they are so cute together. Why did they have to cut the maples? Really? Who were they hurting and why would it be a warning? And soooo…. Ky tells Cassia “I love you”. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

99% (view spoiler)[ So now I know what the red pills do, they make you forget. Was really the choice Cassia made of putting Ky in the selection for the new assignment a good one or had the officials already made the choice anyway? Xander is so nice, even after Cassia traded him for Ky he is still willing to help her, he gives her all those blue pills so she could live while she searches for Ky. I liked that Ky and Xander are immune to the red pills and I like that Ky took the pills from Xanders parents and taught him a lesson at the same time, don’t alter people’s lives. I love that Cassia’s parents are helping her. I hate that they got moved to a different place because of Cassia’s mom report. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

I just got the audiobook for crossed and will try and start later today!

[[deleted user]]

I will do my update for crossed tonight.

[Wolf (Alpha)]

1/4: (view spoiler)[ I like how Xander and Cassia were friends in the beginning. I like how they have a playful banter and how they tease each other. I like that they were matched together and how they both already knew each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

2/4: (view spoiler)[ I like how they both resolve to read each other's data card the night before and how they both want to memorize the facts. I don't like how Ky's face appears on her screen instead of Zander's and how her screen just goes blank. I hate how she steps on the missing data card by accident and how she is questioned.
I like how she gets a new data card and is assured that it was all just a mistake. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

3/4: (view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Cassia, since she has to choose between Ky or Xander. I think that it is sweet how Ky is teaching her and how he did teach her. I hate that they are making her choose. (hide spoiler)]

[Wolf (Alpha)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I thought that she would choose Xander, but she choose Ky. I like how Xander is still helping her even though she didn't choose him. I didn't realize what was going on and what the pills were, but it makes way more sense now. I really liked this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

25% (view spoiler)[ I'm really liking how they have Ky's perspective! Now Cassie is in the village that they are because she's an "aberration" now. I wonder why the society wants them to die? I don't understand that part. Maybe because there's a rebellion forming and they don't want it to get any bigger? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

33.0% (view spoiler)[ Wow we find out what Kys parents did. I like the friendships that are forming between Ky and his group, also, the friendship between Indy and cassia. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

40.0% (view spoiler)[ Finally! They found each other! But seriously why did they do that to Vic? I'm sad for Ky and Eli. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

73.0% (view spoiler)[ Man Ky is so bent on not finding the rebellion. Could he be the pilot like indie says? I'm glad Hunter came back. I am so sad that Sara died. I'm glad Hunter is willing to help. Indie is so mysterious though. I cannot believe Xander is part of the rising did he really not know what the blue pills did? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

99.0% (view spoiler)[ Really? She has to go back to the society? And yes Ky is a pilot! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Finished... My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Haley]

70% (view spoiler)[ Yess they have finally found each other after half the book. I wonder why Xander gave Cassie those pills if they are poisonous, did he know? I don't understand why Ky doesn't want to find the rebellion... Doesn't he want a chance to take down the society? (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Cinthia wrote: " 73.0% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I wondered if he could be the pilot, but honestly I'm not sure at all. I didn't expect Hunter to come back. I honestly thought he was going to get caught. I don't know how I feel about Indie. I agree I can't believe Xander is apart of the rebellion! I wasn't expecting that at all. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

finished (view spoiler)[ They have found the rebellion!! Now they are assigned jobs and wow now Cassie has to go back to the society. I didn't really like this book as much because it felt that it was dragging out at parts. I wonder how the rebellion is going to form now and take down the society? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting August 29th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Ryn]

Is anyone reading these? I'm waiting on my copy of Matched and going to start, probably Tuesday

[Bex's Bookshelves | Bookstagram | Book Reviewer]

Ryn wrote: "Is anyone reading these? I'm waiting on my copy of Matched and going to start, probably Tuesday"

I will be. Let me know when you get it so we can do it. Was supposed to do it with someone but looks like they're not doing it.

[Ryn]

\o/ This series has been on my to read list forever!

[Ryn]

Still waiting. I was sure it would be in today, even stayed late to go through the entire delivery, but Matched didn't make it (I got the rest of the series though >.<) It's got to come in tomorrow!

[Ryn]

It's here! I'm ready to go :D

[Ryn]

To Ch. 9

I was a little confused right at first and for probably the first chapter I didn't know if I would like the book that much, but I've warmed up to it. I'm curious to know how some things like the pills developed in this Society, and I'm REALLY curious why Ky (view spoiler)[ is considered an Aberration and what his father did. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like the worldbuilding is a little shaky, mostly because in her effort not to drown us in explanations, Condie seems to sort of neglect some of them. But that may pan out all right later.

I guess my biggest question is why, though... Cassia seems to have smothered (view spoiler)[ a huge crush on Xander her whole life and so did everyone else so why now that she can have him is she so caught up with Ky. She's known Ky most of her life and never really had a thing for him so I don't get it. Xander too familiar for her to be excited about being matched with him? (hide spoiler)]

A little baffled, but I have a long way to go still.

[Ryn]

To Ch 17
I haven't enjoyed this section of the book as much as the first one. Honestly I feel like someone put a dystopian cover and icing on a romance cake. A forbidden romance at that. A forbidden pointless romance that just doesn't really make sense to me.

It's not that I don't like Ky, because I do. And I'm not particularly shipping Xander and Cassia. I just don't really get it. It's not like Ky is new; he's been around most of her life and they didn't have anything to do with each other. On the other hand, Xander is supposed to have been her best friend all this time and she's certainly indicated that she would have had a huge crush on him if she'd thought he was potentially available. He's got all the elements of a perfect fiance and he's being written to be as boring and bland as milk toast.

It's like Cassia was shown Ky and someone said "That's actually your perfect mate but you can't have him." Which I guess sort of did happen, but now that he's forbidden, she's attracted. Makes zero sense. He's been there all along. Plus seriously, the guard was as dumb as a rock not to (view spoiler)[ catch them writing on the ground right in front of him (hide spoiler)]

I want more about the dystopian society and less about "Oh I shouldn't feel attracted to Ky but for no explicable reason I DOOOO."

[Ryn]

to Ch 26

I honestly think the reason I'm having trouble with this book is that I feel like the whole "Xander and Cassia are best friends" is made up. We keep having to be told how close they are and how they're besties and know each other perfectly. We keep having to be told because very little in their actual relationship shows that they're best friends. They don't act like best friends at all. Katness and Gale acted like best friends. We're being forced into a love triangle that doesn't actually seem to even exist.

I do like Ky though. His story is very sad. Right now I just feel like there's so much "mystery" about everything. Officials are suddenly everywhere hurrying everything, like something's really wrong but other than Cassia being rebellious we don't have any signs of it in the people. So I'm curious to see where this will go.

By the way, not to get too political here but I appreciated the examples of the artifacts and the maple trees -- why socialism will not work long-term 101. Just saying ;)

[Ryn]

Fin

And here I was thinking that they had Cassia (view spoiler)[ sort Ky and the test was whether she'd send him away for a better life or be selfish and keep him with her. Sending him off to get killed in a nebulous war is horrible. (hide spoiler)]

I'm curious about the (view spoiler)[ war though... who are they fighting with? Mostly the book has sounded like the Society is the new world or at least country order, but apparently they have other factions right on their borders. This part doesn't make sense to me. Of course, I still feel the whole love triangle has been manufactured and my heart kinda broke a little for Xander when he told Cassia goodbye. (hide spoiler)]

So... very Giver-esque. Decent. Not world-shattering, but I'm definitely interested to read the rest of the series. Since my peeps haven't joined me yet, I'm going to give you a few days to catch up before I start the next one :D

[Bex's Bookshelves | Bookstagram | Book Reviewer]

Chapters 1-4

I feel like Cassia isn't someone who will play by the rules. I don't really like the world in which she lives in. It is way too restricted and just annoys me.

I am interested to see where this book is going and (view spoiler)[ who her card changed too. (hide spoiler)]

[Bex's Bookshelves | Bookstagram | Book Reviewer]

Chapters 4-18

(view spoiler)[ So I feel like a lot has happened during these chapters. The death of her Grandfather and the secret he gave her with the poems. I don't feel like I know where this fits into the story. I am really liking all the characters but when Cassia is asking Em about her match I don't like the way Xander acts hurt isn't acceptable. Cassia knows her "match" she just wants to know what it feels like to not know them. I feel like Ky is supposed to be her true match and that she is falling for him, but he seems a bit on the dangerous side and we don't know much about him. I'm excited to see what other dangers Cassia is willing to go through and what rules she is willing to break. I also am wondering about her parents. Her mother is defiantly hiding something. (hide spoiler)]

[Bex's Bookshelves | Bookstagram | Book Reviewer]

And I am finished.

I loved it and I am as heartbroken as Cassia.

(view spoiler)[I love the sacrifices that Cassia and Ky made for each other and the anticipation of their first kiss was defiantly something. I really hope she finds him in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Bex's Bookshelves | Bookstagram | Book Reviewer]

Ryn wrote: "Fin

And here I was thinking that they had Cassia [spoilers removed]

I'm curious about the [spoilers removed]

So... very Giver-esque. Decent. Not world-shattering, but I'm definitely interested t..."

I also want to know more about this war and who it is exactly they are fighting.

[Ryn]

Rebecca at Reading Under the Covers wrote: "And I am finished.

I loved it and I am as heartbroken as Cassia.

[spoilers removed]"

I actually hope (view spoiler)[they find each other too... apparently that's the relationship we're supposed to be shipping, I just never really bought the whole BFF thing with Xander or the triangle to begin with :/ (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Rebecca at Reading Under the Covers wrote: "Chapters 4-18

[spoilers removed]"

This bothered me too. They were just being girls. (view spoiler)[Get over yourself, Xander. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

To Ch 11

Well...pros and cons so far

Pros
I think this book has started off much stronger than the last one, especially for Ky. (view spoiler)[ The burials, the survival, the escape... I feel like all of this is well-written and I've enjoyed reading it. I should point out that Ky isn't spending nearly as much time mooning over Cassia as she is over him. Just sayin' (hide spoiler)]

Cons
I'm a little irritated that Condie (view spoiler)[ even bothered to bring Xander back. I don't get it. She keeps trying to force a love triangle that isn't even there. And all she's doing is making Xander kind of look like a jerk, which a. he probably has a right to be and b. isn't really fair because he never had much personality to begin with. Let It Go, Ms. Condie, please. (hide spoiler)]

I'm also... and I was just talking about the same idea on another thread... am seeing a trend in dystopias toward (view spoiler)[ actively malevolent governments instead of benign or merely overly controlling. This story has a strong Uglies vibe to it, but at least in Uglies the government was doing the things it did trying to keep people content and under control. That's not the same thing as governments just trying to exterminate parts of the population. Even The Giver didn't do that; that society killed of people that didn't or couldn't conform, but that's not really the same thing. The idea that we're going to mark a child as an "aberration" because of a parent's "crime" and then toss said child out to some random "enemy" to get killed off doesn't really make any sense to me. Of course, I'm not convinced there's really an enemy or a war for that matter. But the read was quite good so far (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Definitely better than the last one. Not nearly so insipid. This makes me happy.

The pace has slowed somewhat. It feels like the kids are just (view spoiler)[ kind of wandering around finding random things but not really getting anywhere and not sure where they're going. I wonder what Ky will think when he finds out Cassia traded away his compass.

I wonder if Xander knew the blue tablets were actually poisoned. I find that hard to believe though. Poor Xander, he's trying so hard. I really don't like the forced triangle.

I thought Ky & friends finding the settlement with the hidden storage house of books was fun. And I was glad to get the history on the Rising. According to the map in front of my book though, they don't seem to actually be anywhere near it.

I was a little confused about the whole Pilot thing. Was Ky's dad really the Pilot or is that just something they're guessing at? He's been dead a long time so surely there's another one if it was him. Did we ever find out why Ky's parents were Aberrations or do we still not actually know? I don't know but I could have missed it. (hide spoiler)]

I'm ready for something to happen!

[Ryn]

Okay, sooo... Cassia can just (view spoiler)[walk off the blue tablet poison because... because she's special? Because it's not really poison? Because anyone can do it if they try hard enough? Or if their friends drag them along? Because she's in love? What?

Grrrr, I hate sloppy writing like that.

The other thing I don't really understand is Ky's problem with the Rising. So his dad wasn't the Pilot, and his dad rabblerousing with the Rising is the reason they're Aberrations, I guess. And after the Society killed most of them, they took the survivors and the Rising didn't step in? Is that why? Shaky ground, Ky. Seriously, if you're not going to the farmers because they're basically gone, and you're not going to the Rising, what exactly are you doing out there in no man's land? Waiting until the Society comes along and kills you? Planning to camp out for the rest of your life?

I feel like this is another place Condie's trying to create tension over a choice that doesn't seem to actually exist.

Speaking of choice, what's Xander's big secret? Is he a Society plant or something? I hope he doesn't turn into a bad guy; I'll be kind of disappointed if that happens. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Well that... did not go where I expected it to go. Well played, Ally Condie.

I have to admit, I really like Eli. I was a little (view spoiler)[disappointed when he decided to run off with the hunter. And I guess Indie has a thing for Xander which would set everyone up for a happy ending, but I also get the impression she has a thing for Ky.

In fact, I thought the who re-evaluation thing from Ky and Cassia was pretty nice... and not something you see much in YA. They were sort of insta-attracted, Cassia basically because she was told she couldn't have him, so it's nice that there's been a moment where they've stepped back and said ... hey, love isn't enough when we're really not compatible.

That said... and duly noting that I pointed out earlier that I felt the whole "Ky hates the Rising and won't go there" line was manufactured to try and create drama over a choice that didn't exist... I was still disappointed he rolled over and caved so easily. No not going. No, absolutely not going. No I refuse to go. Well... okay, you kissed me so I suppose I'll go... it's not like I have any better ideas.

Pfff.

Came out of the blue. Left out of the blue. Whatever.

Now Xander being a plant of the Rising is interesting. Highly unlikely given his age because really when would he have run off to join the Rising? But an interesting plot twist. I'll admit to being intrigued about how Condie will handle this in the conclusion. (hide spoiler)]